Publication

This paper examines Israel-Russia relations in light of Operation Protective Edge and the Ukrainian crisis. The author argues that Russia has shown unusual restraint in approaching the situation in Gaza and has offered its services as mediator. The author attributes Russia’s actions to Moscow’s dual foreign policy goals of: 1) maintaining its image as an unbiased mediator in order to compete as a significant regional player against the West in the Middle East and 2) maintaining good relations with Israel, which has maintained a neutral stance towards the conflict in Ukraine.